Happy Joe's is hosting its annual holiday parties for children with special needs this week.

The local pizza chain will host four parties at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline, at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday and again at the same times on Wednesday. About 1,500 children and their aids from the Quad-City region have been invited, according to a news release.

Chef Robert Lewis passes empty pans to his right and fresh pizzas to his left to be taken out to tables at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Robin Dixon of Reynolds, dressed as Jessie from 'Toy Story,' signs an autograph on the hand of Eagle Ridge Elementary student Bentley Smith, 6, at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Kung-Fu instructor John Morrow of Moline serves sausage pizza to Kavion Campbell, 9, of Irving Elementary School in Kewanee at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Santa Claus hugs kids who line up to get autographs and sit on his lap at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Happy Joe Whitty smiles while watching kids dance and celebrate at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

A Christmas tree is seen decorated with Happy Joe's plates at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Director of Marketing Kristel Whitty-Ersan encourages kids to dance and have at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Camelot of the Quad-Cities student Tanasia Osbourne, 5, dances while eating her ice cream at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Quad-City Mallards forward Garrett Klotz dances on stage with kids at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Quad-City Mallards forwards Alex Globke and Garrett Klotz stop to talk with Happy Joe Whitty at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

Robin Dixon of Reynolds, dressed as Jessie from 'Toy Story,' signs autographs on kids' hands at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline on Wednesday, December 6, 2017. Happy Joe's hosted the 45th annual Quad-City party for children with special needs.

"These are our favorite days of the year," Lawrence "Happy Joe" Whitty said in the release. "Many of these kids have grown up coming to our parties, and for some, it will be a brand new experience. We love seeing their smiling faces. Our team members enjoy the parties just as much as the kids!"

The Happy Joe's Kids Foundation sponsors the party at no cost to participants. In its first years, the company hosted parties at its restaurants, but according to the release, the Quad-City events have moved to a venue that can support the growth.

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Even before it opened, the Curiosity Corner in the lower level of Happy Joe's new restaurant "super store" in Davenport was attracting kids like Amy Howard, left, and Maggie Swearinger, five-year-olds from Davenport. The new restaurant opens today. Published Tuesday, Sept. 18, 1990. (Photo by Harry Boll/Quad-City Times)

Harry Boll

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Prince Mishael Bin Saud Bin Abdul Aziz and Lawrence J. "Happy Joe" Whitty share some humor during a conference about their new restaurant venture in Saudi Arabia. The prince will open a Happy Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream Parlor next year in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Photo taken Tuesday, Aug. 24, 1993. Published Thursday, Aug. 26, 1993. (Photo by Larry Fisher/Quad-City Times)

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Pizzas were served at a press conference at the Happy Joe's Support Center in Bettendorf on Thursday, October 26, 2017. Happy Joe's announced it would join in a partnership with Dynamic Restaurant Holdings.

Andy Abeyta, QUAD-CITY TIMES

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An employee spreads tomato sauce on pizza dough at Happy Joe's Restaurant in Bettendorf on Thursday. In partnering with a holding company, Happy Joe's will be able to take advantage of economies of scale in purchasing supplies and other necessities, company officials said.

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An employee prepares to box up a pizza for delivery at Happy Joe's Restaurant in Bettendorf on Thursday. The chain, which is known for its Taco Pizza, will be part of a holding company that will focus on growing different kinds of pizza chains.

Andy Abeyta, QUAD-CITY TIMES

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Founder Happy Joe Whitty, left, and Jim Smith of Dynamic Restaurant Holdings were part of the Oct. 26 press conference that announced the popular pizza chain has joined in a partnership with Dynamic Restaurant Holdings that will allow it to grow into a national brand. The press conference was held at the Happy Joe's Support Center in Bettendorf.

Andy Abeyta, QUAD-CITY TIMES

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Server Nick Ratigan delivers a cheese pizza to a family's table at Happy Joe's Restaurant in Bettendorf on Thursday. Happy Joe's announced it would join in a partnership with Dynamic Restaurant Holdings that will allow it to add additional locations.

Andy Abeyta, QUAD-CITY TIMES

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The Happy Joe's mascot jumps up and touches its' toes during the Halloween Parade.

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Happy Joe Whitty smiles as he reads a birthday card during his 80th birthday party last month. Happy Joe's, the company he founded, has joined with Dynamic Restaurant Holdings and plans a national expansion.

HAPPY JOE'S PARTY

Joe Whitty, center, is surrounded by Quad-City area schoolchildren before the Happy Joe’s 44th annual Quad-City Party for Children with Special Needs on Monday at the iWireless Center, Moline. In 1972, on the eve his first restaurant’s opening night, Whitty invited a local priest to bless his business and promised that if he could make enough money to feed his family, he would give something back to the community. So, Whitty shut down the restaurant for a few hours one day a year to have a party for those less fortunate, and he has required his franchisees to do the same. Nearly 168,000 children have benefited from the parties. More will be served at two more parties Tuesday at the iWireless Center.

HAPPY JOE'S PARTY

Joe Whitty, owner of Happy Joe's Pizza, greets Anna Schadt of Wood Intermediate School in Davenport at the 42nd annual Special Needs Children's Party at the iWireless Center in Moline. Whitty and Happy Joe's held two parties Tuesday, and two more are scheduled for Wednesday. To see more photos from the Happy Joe's party, go to qctimes.com/gallery.

Happy Joe

QCT 150th ANNIVERSARY: HAPPY JOE

For more than 30 years "Happy Joe" Whitty, far right, has entertained children their families at his pizza and ice cream parlors. Today the "Happy Joe" name spreads across six states and more than 60 restaurants. (Contributed and file photos)

Happy Joe's holds party for special needs children

Photos by Kevin E. Schmidt/QUAD-CITY TIMES Hundreds of area youth enjoyed pizza, ice cream and music Monday during Happy Joe Whitty's 2006 Quad-City Special Needs Children's Party at The Mark of the Quad-Cities in Moline.

Bettendorf 4th-grader a reporter for Scholastic News

Alysa Goethe, with "Happy Joe" Whitty, whom she interviewed for a story this fall. (Contributed photo)

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